Event report: Bush 8 WA MD Champs

Malmalling

Thank you to all who entered  the WA Middle Distance Champs. Our aim was to provide appropriate technical courses in a difficult and rugged terrain. We apologise for the confusion with regard to the revised start list.

Planning for the event commenced prior to Easter with a visit to the map to establish a suitable assembly area reasonably adjacent to the allocated map area. This was initially to be the eastern more runnable section of the rough ridge and extending south for the sub hard courses. However, it was decided, given a normal winter’s rain, that access along both the north south tracks might not be viable without 4WD-type vehicles. So the regular assembly area along Chambers Rd was selected. This then dictated that we would require remote starts.

Initial course planning was to have all courses confined to the ridge and adjacent area with the finish to also be remote. This presented difficulties for sub hard courses with a lack of handrails without significant route tapping. The area south of the ridge looked far more suitable for the sub hard courses so we made the decision to implement two finish locations. One at the assembly area and the other remote but somewhat closer than first chosen.

Following our first walk in the terrain we realised that the envisaged course length/structure needed revising as the vegetation was more green and widespread than the original mapping, with visibility restricted in some locations. Fortunately, most features were as mapped. Other map issues included reduced clear/semi clear areas, fence lines not evident (apart from limited posts and occasional wire), human intervention with bike tracks and fire break trail (now partly regrown), and minor tracks to the south of the creek line were so overgrown as to be unrecognisable.

Map updates were undertaken in an effort to reflect some of these changes. However, a complete remap of the area should be undertaken should this section of Malmalling be used in the future.

Following further map visits, the courses were revised to reflect km rates expected to be obtained. Map runs were undertaken to confirm that the targeted km rates were achievable. Viewing the results and discounting for the lost time errors the targeted rates were possible.

A big thank you goes to the event controller Dan Greig. Dan attended the course area on many occasions, jointly and independently, and undertook the mapping revisions. His critique and advice of the course planning process was invaluable to the make-up of the final courses. Dan was unwell prior and during the event but this did not distract him from overseeing the final day preparations and checking all the control sites. Dan also towed the toilet to the event.

Thank you to both Ken & Carol Brownlie for their very early arrival to allow Ken to set up the start clock at the remote start. Carol was active, as always, and coordinated as event administrator. Caravan transport was by Peter and Jenny Komyshan who also arrived early to enable access for on the day items.

Post-event control collection was organised by Dan: thank you to Peter Komyshan, Carol & Ken Brownlie, Helen & Ken Post, Tom Brownlie, Brian Austin, David McCauley and Oliver Martin. A thank you also to Gina Wade for assisting at the start after a rather early start necessitated by having to place controls and finish stations at locations that could be disturbed (ie Yetar Springs).

Special thanks are extended to Cassie Chapman (nee Wade) for giving us three of her days and travelling up from Collie to assist with the event. Her assistance with control placement, start official and general event site placements was invaluable. Provision of her 4WD vehicle was critical in gaining close access to start.

Again thank you to all who attended, and congratulations to all the place winners.

Results can be found on Eventor. Upload your course, or see others' route choices, on Livelox. 

Photos: Winners in the W21A (Kellie, Rachel and Ceri), M21A (Oliver, John and Liam), and M85 (Peter). Taken by Rob West.